KUALA LUMPUR: Calls for a royal pardon for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will dominate the Umno annual general assembly to be held next week, says party secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
He said that of the 662 proposals received from divisions nationwide, 104 called for the incarcerated PM to be pardoned by the King.
However, no division or branch proposed that the party leave the current government, he told a special press conference here on Friday (Jan 9).
The event was to brief the media on the preparations for the Umno AGM, which will be held from Jan 14 to 17 at the World Trade Centre here.
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He said the AGM was postponed from November to make way for the 17th Sabah State Election.
"As of now, 6,412 delegates have registered to attend the Umno AGM 2025.
"It will begin on Jan 14 with the meetings of the Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings, to be opened jointly by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
"We received 662 proposals, which will be raised during the AGM, with the most from Perak (133), followed by Johor and Selangor.
"Najib's royal pardon dominates at 104 proposals, and these are supported by legal arguments, judging from the jargon used in the proposals," he added.
Fifty proposals are on strengthening and expanding Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), he said.
"The proposals address issues of politics, economy, education and religion. We have not filtered or rejected any of the proposals because we feel the AGM is where the grassroots' voices will be heard.
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"No one proposed that Umno leave the government, but I suppose that the issue could be raised, and we won't stop the delegates from speaking their minds.
"There were also no proposals on DAP, but I am sure the issue would also be raised during the AGM.
"I stated that we are a mixed-party government and other party leaders must be careful about raising sensitivities," he added.
Other events taking place alongside the AGM include a convergence of Muslim scholars, which will see academics and NGOs discussing issues on Islam in governance.
"There will also be the convocation for Sekolah Patriotik Umno to be attended by Ahmad Zahid, as well as a convention to strengthen Malay education.
"Throughout the AGM at WTC, booths selling various products will be open to the public, and there will also be entrepreneurial talks by Wanita Umno," said Asyraf Wajdi.
He also said that the debates on Ahmad Zahid's policy speech would be telecast live, with more than 300 media personnel covering the AGM.
